You held out your arms to me

I lift up my praises to you, Jehovah, God of the universe. You are the ultimate love, for though mankind has left you, you want us back so we can 0-BK 2-DreamMaker-cover-kindle-medium-newdelight in each other’s presence. As a new-born baby, I think perhaps I must have been aware of you, having just left your presence. But as I grew older, I drifted farther from you. When I became grown, I did things you were ashamed of. But you pursued me anyway. Your love was stubborn. Your love was such a powerful and mighty and driving force. You reached out to me over and over. Though I ran from you a little while, I gradually realized you were not going to let me go. I gradually realized the potency of your love. When I turned toward you, you held out your holy arms to me and welcomed me back home.

My Lord, sometimes I am tired. I do not want to do anything but sit and stare or go for long walks. Sometimes I am discouraged. I am at a lost what to do next, so I do nothing. Sometimes I feel so inadequate, I lie down and refuse to do anything at all. At those times, you smile, take my hand, and whisper, “It’s okay. Go ahead and rest. I’ll send one of my angels to sit with you. When you are ready, I’ll be ready too.  You do not need to ask my forgiveness, for there is nothing to forgive.  Rest now and be at peace.” Thank you for being so understanding, my Lord.

.

0-BK 2-DreamMaker-cover-kindle-new-thumbnailDREAM MAKER is lyrical novel #2 in the series THEY MET JESUS.  He is now grown, Herod is dead, and the Temple takes over trying to find and destroy Jesus. But he takes the kingdom by storm.  Are they too late to stop him?  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this……….  

.

#Discouragement, #runningfromgod, #godrunningafterus, #patience, #forgiveness, #sickandtired, #rest, #KatherynMaddoxHaddad, #inspiration, #devotional, #worship, #vespers, #meditation,. #godliness, #Christianity, #JesusChrist, #church, #Bible, #Scripture, #HolyBook, #religion, #love, #truth, #praise, #worship, #prayer

https://inspirationsbykatheryn.wordpress.com/historical-novel-about-jesus/book-2-dream-maker-adults-childs-versions-2/

Me, Lord? Me?

00-hero-alone-cover-kindle-mediumOh Lord, my God. I do not always understand you. But I trust you no matter what happens in my personal life, in my city, my nation, the world. I know you have everything under control. You step back sometimes to let the true motives of bad people be seen at the expense of people they hurt. I do not always understand you. But I trust you no matter what happens to my body during plagues and to the earth during natural disasters. No matter what happens, I will trust you and praise you. I will never turn away from you as long as you give me strength to do so. May I die praising you.

My Father, thank you for making me your child. I am a child of the Creator of greater things than I can ever see or understand ~ me just a spec in the cosmos! How is that possible? I am a child of the King over all kings, the Lord over all lords. I am a child of the self-existent one who chose to make me, protect me, and love me. Me, Lord?  Me?  I fall at your feet in gratitude and heart thanks.

.

00-hero-alone-cover-kindle-lgthumbnailYOU CAN BE A HERO ALONE: SURVIVAL STORIES FOR THE COURAGEOUS ISOLATED CHRISTIAN.  Each chapter is the story of someone in the Bible who had to stand alone.  At the end are multiple choice questions and thought questions to challenge the reader’s personal life.  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this……….  http://bit.ly/HeroesAlone

.

#TrustGod, #pandemics, #disasters, #Godisincontrol, #childoftheking, #childofGod, #KatherynMaddoxHaddad, #inspiration, #devotional, #worship, #vespers, #meditation,. #godliness, #Christianity, #JesusChrist, #church, #Bible, #Scripture, #HolyBook, #religion, #love, #truth, #praise, #worship, #prayer

https://inspirationsbykatheryn.wordpress.com/1107-2/you-can-be-a-hero-alone-survival-stories-for-the-isolated-christian/

As long as my heart beats

Supper-Front Cover-MediumAs long as there is breath in me, I will praise you. As long as my heart beats, I will praise you. As long as I have a lucid mind, I will praise you. Though I may be beaten to deny you, in my weakness I will praise you. Though I may be imprisoned for not denying you, in my restraint I will praise you. Though they may threaten to kill me, at the moment of my death I will praise you. As long as it is within my being to do so, I will praise you, my Lord and my God.

Thank you for coming to our world as the kind of man you created. With that, you made my salvation possible. Salvation from Sin, Satan and Death and that hopeless prison of hell.  You rescued me. You ransomed me. You bought me back. All to take me home with you to heaven. And everyone else who once turned against you. Thank you for forgiving me and all the others. Thank you for such astounding love that soars through the universe to my heart.

.

Supper-Front Cover-ThumbnailTHE LORD’S SUPPER: 52 READINGS WITH PRAYERS can be used by those presiding at the Lord’s Table or by partakers in private meditation.  A preface traces keeping the Lord’s Supper back to the original Greek of Acts 20:7.  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this……….  https://bit.ly/2Vhacqn

.

#LordsSupper, #holycommunion, #holymass, #bloodandbody, #wineandbread, #crucifixion, #resurrection, #satansindeath, #ransom, #savedfromhell, #weeklyworship, ##KatherynMaddoxHaddad, #inspiration, #devotional, #worship, #vespers, #meditation,. #godliness, #Christianity, #JesusChrist, #church, #Bible, #Scripture, #HolyBook, #religion, #love, #truth, #praise, #worship, #prayer

https://inspirationsbykatheryn.wordpress.com/the-lords-supper-52-readings-with-prayers/

The basin of blood

0-BOOK 7-SHADOW-ChildsCartoonMediumAh, my Lord God. Everywhere I look, you are there. You leap from mountain to mountain as stepping stones. You throw out seeds of pine and spruce and fir, and forests appear. You blow on them, they fall, and deserts appear.  You step into the oceans, stir them up, and laugh when their waves leap with joy. You are in the chirpings of the birds, the giggles of a child, the echoes in canyons.  You are in the gentle breezes, the laughing brooks, the slumbering meadows. Everywhere I look and you are there, dear Lord. More wondrous still will be when I see you face to face.

There is a basin of blood at the foot of your cross.  You washed me and made me clean when I was baptized in that blood. That which was crimson and laden with grief, made me pure and white and overflowing with joy.  How can this be? What you went through for me. How you fought Satan for my spirit, my life, my soul.  I do not understand your strength, but I know it is greater than Satan’s.  He made you bleed, but the life that flowed out of you with that blood became the water of life. Thank you for all you did for me. I worship you.

.

0-BK 7-ShadowOfDeath-Cover-new-ThumbnailA CHILD’S LIFE OF CHRIST: SHADOW OF DEATH explains the death of Jesus on the cross in gentle terms such as “he hurt”.  Children know he died on the cross, but do not understand why grownup talk about it so much. Now they can understand.  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this……….  https://bit.ly/3fVZTQX

.

#blessings, #joy, #washedintheblood, #baptizedintheblood, #thebloodofthelamb, #thebloodofChrist, #forgivenessofsins, #crucifixion, #salvation, #shadowofdeath, #KatherynMaddoxHaddad, #inspiration, #devotional, #worship, #vespers, #meditation,. #godliness, #Christianity, #JesusChrist, #church, #Bible, #Scripture, #HolyBook, #religion, #love, #truth, #praise, #worship, #prayer

https://inspirationsbykatheryn.wordpress.com/a-childs-life-of-christ-book-7-shadow-of-death/?frame-nonce=9bf6873c93

My weariness you make sweet

The scripture for today, August 13 (8/13), is Isaiah 8:13f as found in the Old Testament of the Bible:

Silver Cover-KINDLE-thumbnail“The Lord Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy, he is the one you are to fear, he is the one you are to dread, and he will be a sanctuary.”

Righteous God in heaven, so far and yet so near. You made the rules so I wouldn’t hurt myself. No matter how hard I wanted you to change them, you refused to change. You are forever the same. My rock. My foundation, My wall of salvation. My sword of truth. My rainbow of love.  You have clothed me with your perfection because I can never attain it. You have clothed me with your purity because this I can never accomplish either. You have clothed me with your majesty to rule with you somewhere in your realm someday because I could never have the wisdom or patience you do.  You have given the earth to me, and all that is in it to rule with you. You have granted me a canopy of stars over my head and a rainbow of delight to encircle my heart. I love you, my God.

From the night, you call forth light.  From the soil, you call forth a flower. My tears, you turn into diamonds. My laughter, you turn into mountains of love. My weariness you make be sweet, peaceful rest before the dawn. My soul rises to meet yours, my heart flies to touch yours, my mind, my understanding soars to try to understand you. You are so great, and I am so small.  Yet you love me so. I do not deserve it, for I am sinful. You love me still. I worship you.

.

Silver Cover-KINDLE-thumbnail365 SILVER-WINGED PRAYERS: YOUR SPIRIT TO GOD’S is part of a trilogy of TOUCHING GOD devotional books.   Daily suggested prayers of praise, confession, and thanksgiving.  All that is left is your personal requests.  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this……….  https://bit.ly/3ia96a0

.

#praise, #thanksgiving, #confession, #purity, #light, #godisgood, #KatherynMaddoxHaddad, #inspiration, #devotional, #worship, #vespers, #meditation,. #godliness, #Christianity, #JesusChrist, #church, #Bible, #Scripture, #HolyBook, #religion, #love, #truth, #praise, #worship, #prayer

Come to me! I am doing everything I can to help you!

0-BK 4-FolkHero-Cover-Kindle-medium-newThe scripture for today, August 12 (8/12), is John 8:12 as found in the New Testament of the Bible:

“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.’ “

Jesus had only about six months left to live. He knew the religious leaders were after his life out of jealousy. Before going to Jerusalem, he told his brothers, “The world cannot hate you, but it hates me” (John 7:7). Knowing people were wanting to kill him, he slipped into Jerusalem after everyone else got there (John 7:10, 14). Then suddenly, he appeared in the middle of the Temple complex ~ the size of many football fields. He knew he was safe as long as there was a crowd.

Jesus answered some private questions, and then “he called out, ‘You know me! You know where I am from!’ ” (John 7:28).

Every day of this feast, a priest would ceremonially pour out some water to represent the water that poured out of the rock when the Jews wandered in the wilderness. But on the last day, the priest did not do this, for it represented their ancestors finally arriving in the Promised Land. It was on this last day of the feast that Jesus “stood and said in a loud voice…  ‘If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink! Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him!’ ” (John 7:38f)

First thing the next morning at dawn, he returned to the Temple court. Maybe there was a beautiful sunrise. When the sun was up, and the crowds had returned, he shouted something else to everyone, “I am the light of the world!” (John 8:12).

He had compared himself to the water ceremony of the day before, and now he was comparing himself to the new dawn. There he was. God materialized on earth, crying out to humanity. “Come to me! I am doing everything I can to help you! Won’t you come? Please listen to me! Please come! I can save you from hell!”

Such stubborn love.

.

0-BK 4-FolkHero-Cover-Kindle-thumbnail-newFOLK HERO is lyrical novel #4 in the series THEY MET JESUS.  He has performed a few miracles, selected his 12 aides, and now he gets down to the business of some heavy-duty miracles and astounding sermons. People flock to him from Palestine and nearby countries. They cannot get enough of their FOLK HERE.  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this:  http://bit.ly/FolkHero

.

#Wateroflife, #breadoflife, #lightofworld, #savedfromhell, #killjesus, #savedfromhell, #Folkhero, #Theymetjesus, #KatherynMaddoxHaddad, #inspiration, #devotional, #worship, #vespers, #meditation,. #godliness, #Christianity, #JesusChrist, #church, #Bible, #Scripture, #HolyBook, #religion, #love, #truth, #praise, #worship, #prayer

https://inspirationsbykatheryn.wordpress.com/historical-novel-about-jesus/book-4-folk-hero-adults-childs-versions/

And They Wept

04-Isaac&Jacob-KindleMediumThe scripture for today, August 10 (8/10), is Nehemiah 8:10b as found in the Old Testament of the Bible:

“This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

After exile over 70 years for forsaking God, the Jews were led by Ezra and Nehemiah back to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple and rebuild the wall. On a special day, Ezra read the Law of Moses to all the people.

And they wept.

They were so embarrassed and so sorry they had betrayed God. The above scripture quotation is from that occasion.

But many people find it too humiliating to admit to others they were wrong. Others find it easy to repent, but never regroup and pull themselves up so they can try again. Still, others say, “What I’ve done is so bad, God could never forgive me.”

God can perform miracles. That means he can forgive the greatest sinner. So grieve. Ask for forgiveness. Then start over fresh ~ innocent in the eyes of God.

Remember, when you feel weak, the joy of the Lord is always your strength. And it is magnificent.

.


04-Isaac&Jacob-KindleThumbnailISAAC & JACOB is storybook #4 in A CHILD’S BIBLE HEROES.  You would think a little lie wouldn’t hurt.  Or even a big lie.  But Jacob’s lie cost him everything. It disrupted his entire family.  His twin brother tried to kill him.  He was gone from home for 20 years and during that time he lost his mother.  Talk about a dysfunctional family. But God healed them.  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this……….  http://bit.ly/2LacnWf

.

#Forgiveness, #Bigsins, #littlesins, #sorrow, #repent, #humiliating, #Ezra, #Nehemiah, #JacobandEsau, #IsaacandRebecca, #KatherynMaddoxHaddad, #inspiration, #devotional, #worship, #vespers, #meditation,. #godliness, #Christianity, #JesusChrist, #church, #Bible, #Scripture, #HolyBook, #religion, #love, #truth, #praise, #worship, #prayer

https://inspirationsbykatheryn.wordpress.com/a-childs-bible-heroes-book-4-isaac-jacob/?frame-nonce=1e7c6b1760

Come. Let’s take a walk.

inside-cover-mediumAh, my Lord and my God. How beautiful and wonderful heaven will be, for you will be there. You are beautiful and wonderful in everything you think and do. You have the beauty of holiness, of purity, of ultimate love, mercy, goodness. I cannot comprehend anyone so perfect. When you were on earth, you revealed your perfection and people either used you or hated you.  I would feel completely inadequate in your presence and want to hide were it not for your love. You smile and say, “Come, let us take a walk together. Tell me what is on your mind. Let’s work through things together, you and I.” You are overwhelming in your love, and so I worship you.

It is in the middle of summer and I do love summer so much, my God. I can do things outside in the sunshine I cannot do inside during the winter. I love a breeze flowing through my hair, picking dandelion bouquets, digging in the cool dirt to weed my garden, exploring a new walking path, wading in a creek, drinking water out of a well, swinging at the park, delighting in fireflies. I love tasting fresh fruit off a tree, then sitting under its shade. looking up at the sky through the green leaves and towering branches. Thank you for summertime.

.

Inside-COVER-lg thumbnailINSIDE THE HEARTS OF BIBLE WOMEN is a multi-use book.  It can be used for private reading or in classes, retreats, etc.  Footnotes throughout refer to thought questions.  An audio of the author reading is also available. A large teacher’s and advertising manual is available to make it an outreach to the community.  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this……….  http://bit.ly/HeartsOfBibleWomen

,

#insidetheheartsofbiblewomen, #ladiesretreats, #advertisingmanual, #teachersmanual, #KatherynMaddoxHaddad, #inspiration, #devotional, #worship, #vespers, #meditation,. #godliness, #Christianity, #JesusChrist, #church, #Bible, #Scripture, #HolyBook, #religion, #love, #truth, #praise, #worship, #prayer

https://inspirationsbykatheryn.wordpress.com/1107-2/my-book-inside-the-hearts-of-bible-women/

Confined to a body

0000-BK 1-StarSong-Cover-new-MediumThe scripture for today, August 9 (8/9), is 2nd Corinthians 8:9 as found in the New Testament of the Bible:

“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes, he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.”

Such love!

Jesus gave up streets of gold for streets full of trash. Gave up a heavenly mansion for a barn. Gave up the ability to be everywhere at once, to being confined to a body. Gave up eternal bliss for thirty-three years of pain and struggle. Gave up adoring angels for crowds that hated him. And finally, he gave up sinlessness to take the blame for your sins and allow himself to take the soul and body death penalty for your sins.

What more can be said about God who materialized for you and snatched you out of the  jaws of Sin, Satan, and Death? Unless perhaps we can add, ‘What have you given up for him?’.

.

0000-BK 1-StarSong-Cover-new-ThumbnailSTAR SONG is biblical lyrical novel #1 in the series, THEY MET JESUS.  Follow the lives of 12 people he changed forever, even as a baby.  I began writing this series when I was 17 years old and finished it when I was 60.  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this……….  http://bit.ly/StarSong

.

#Christmas, #maryandjoseph, #Bethlehem, #Egypt, #Herod, #heaven, #sacrifice, #givingup, #KatherynMaddoxHaddad, #inspiration, #devotional, #worship, #vespers, #meditation,. #godliness, #Christianity, #JesusChrist, #church, #Bible, #Scripture, #HolyBook, #religion, #love, #truth, #praise, #worship, #prayer

https://inspirationsbykatheryn.wordpress.com/historical-novel-about-jesus/book-1-star-song-adult-childs-versions/

It should have been me

0-BK 7-ShadowOfDeath-Cover-new-MediumJehovah God, your very name is holy. Anywhere you dwell is holy. You are pure in every way. You are the Maker of all things, the constant companion of all things, and the lover of all. You are as high above all things as a speck of dust is to the uttermost and unknown boundaries of the cosmos. You have always been, you are, and will always be.   Everything you made bows down to you ~ the mountains, the seas, the starry hosts. I bow at your feet and offer my crown to you. For I am nothing.

It was my face that should have been slapped that midnight, not yours. It was my back that should have been beaten raw that dark night, not yours. It was my blood that should have poured out of my body from those nails that day, not yours. It was my body that should have been pierced with cruel spikes that day, not yours. It was me that should have cried out in agony that day so long ago, not yours. You took my place so I would not have to suffer the punishment I deserved. I do not understand such love but I will thank you eternally.

.

0-BK 7-ShadowOfDeath-Cover-new-ThumbnailSHADOW OF DEATH begins with Jesus’ illegal middle-of-the-night so-called trials and ends with his apostles in hiding, hopeless, trying to give meaning to the impossible.  And feeling deserted by the one they all love more than life itself.  Scripture and historical citations at the end of each chapter as well as Life Application Questions.  Could be used as a class book.  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this……….  http://bit.ly/Death-Resurrection

.

#gloryofgod, #holinessofgod, #loveofgod, #illegaltrial, #apostlesinhiding, #shadowofdeath, #theymetjesus, #deathandresurrection, #easter, #KatherynMaddoxHaddad, #inspiration, #devotional, #worship, #vespers, #meditation,. #godliness, #Christianity, #JesusChrist, #church, #Bible, #Scripture, #HolyBook, #religion, #love, #truth, #praise, #worship, #prayer

https://inspirationsbykatheryn.wordpress.com/historical-novel-about-jesus/book-7-shadow-of-death-adults-childs-versions/